DNP in APRN – FNP
Doctor of Nursing Practice in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner (licensure)
Lead Healthcare Settings in Whole Family Care
Regent’s fully online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is designed to prepare nursing leaders who are looking to obtain a terminal degree in their practice, sit for national certification, and become eligible for their APRN licensure. The FNP concentration can prepare you to lead and educate others and use high-quality, evidence-based strategies to evaluate, diagnose, manage, promote, and advocate for safe care for patients, families, and communities with acute, common, or chronic health conditions.
Expand Your Career Opportunities with the FNP Program
Become highly marketable as an expert clinician and scholar in primary care and advanced nursing.
Build on a Strong Foundation
Combine the nurturing of holistic education that encompasses the whole human with a grounded Christian worldview.
LEARN FROM THE BEST
Be mentored by faculty in Virginia Beach who hold the highest degrees in their field. Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2026).
Fulfill A Need
The United States Bureau for Labor Statistics predicted that openings for nurse practitioners in the U.S. will increase 45% between 2020 and 2030, and that between 2014 and 2024, every state in the U.S. will see an increase in jobs for nurse practitioners.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master’s degree program in nursing at Regent University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice Program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Regent are pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.
Upon successful completion of the FNP online program, you can:
- Teach, advocate and deliver improved healthcare for individual patients and families.
- Research and develop innovative healthcare practices to improve patient delivery and outcomes.
- Advance and transform family-based nursing healthcare through education and research.
Career Opportunities
- Residential Care Oversight
- Pediatric Inpatient or Outpatient
- Public Health and Wellness
- Remote Telehealth
- Advanced Organizational and Professional Nursing Leader
- Clinical or Academic Nursing Educator
Students should refer to their catalog or audited degree plan (ADP) for required courses to complete their degree.
2025-26 Semester Check-In Deadlines
All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.
| Session | Semester Check-In | Session Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Session A | Friday, August 15 | Monday, August 25 |
| Session C | Wednesday, January 7 | Monday, January 12 |
| Session E | Friday, May 1 | Monday, May 11 |
Prerequisites
DNP in APRN applicants must:
- Have a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from an accredited institution and a 3.0 GPA in previously completed nursing courses.
- Report no more than two previous documented failures in DNP courses.
Admissions Requirements
Step 1: Apply to Regent University
Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.
Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.
Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts
Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.
Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES or NAFSA approved agency.
Step 3: Complete an Admissions Questionnaire
Please complete a brief admissions questionnaire based on your professional goals and interests. This should only take a few minutes to complete but please answer the questions completely and thoughtfully. This gives us a better opportunity to get to know you and align your objectives with our programs. Once completed, it will be sent directly to an admissions counselor who will be in touch with you right away to help complete the rest of your application.
Step 4: Submit Your Resume
All graduate nurse candidates are required to submit a resume demonstrating one year of full time clinical RN experience prior to entering the degree program. Please submit to regent.edu/items.
Step 5: Submit Your Nursing License
To be admitted to the DNP program, you must submit an active unencumbered/unrestricted Registered Nurse license from your state of practice. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.
Step 6: Submit Your Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.
Step 7: Faculty Interview
Interviews for all licensure programs are by invitation only after review of the completed application. These required interviews are conducted online, and you must have both a webcam and microphone to participate. Your admissions counselor will provide information regarding interview days/times for you to register once your file is complete.
Applicants invited to the virtual interview should keep in mind that an interview does not assure admission. The College of Health & Behavioral Sciences reserves the right to determine in its sole discretion whether a candidate is suitable for admission into the program.
Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.
Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.
Part-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNP | $580 | 3 | $1,740 |
| MSN | $590 | 6 | $3,540 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNP | $580 | 6 | $3,480 |
| MSN | $590 | 9 | $5,310 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $750 |
PART-TIME STUDENTS
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNP | $580 | 3 | $1,740 |
| MSN | $580 | 6 | $3,480 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNP | $580 | 6 | $3,480 |
| MSN | $580 | 9 | $5,220 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.
Upcoming Residency Dates
Spring 2026
- Friday, January 23, 2026 - Saturday, January 24, 2026
The two-day residency is required for students in APRN concentration programs and certificates prior to beginning their practicum experience. Students will participate in an on-campus residency, White Coat ceremony and an off-campus teaching session.
During residency students are provided an opportunity to perform hands-on health assessments required to begin formal hours for the practicum experience and will include several simulation exercises where students will demonstrate competency in their assessment techniques and skills that may include the following: well and sick visit assessments, assessment of eyes, nose and throat using otoscope and ophthalmoscope and assessing DTRs and writing a prescription by hand.
After successful completion of the health assessments the students will be recognized at a White Coat ceremony signifying their entrance into clinical practice. The ceremony symbolizes a commitment to professionalism, ethics, and compassionate patient care and marks the beginning of their clinical journey.
The second day of residency includes an off campus learning experience that provides an opportunity to teach and refine physical examination skills to health professional learners with GYN Teaching Associates (GTAs) and Male Urological Teaching Associates (MUTAs) from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. Faculty and TAs will guide students through the examination and provide immediate patient-centered and technical feedback.
Upon successful completion students will understand those aspects of the examination needed for important psychomotor and communication skills relative to the female breast and pelvic, the male genitorectal examination and the complete examination of the asymptomatic patient. These skills include development of rapport, ability to educate patients and to perform an efficient, thorough and comprehensive examination.
Students should consider the following residency costs: transportation, lodging, and meals. Families are welcome to come to the White Coat ceremony.
Waiving of residency requirements will not be considered.
Note: Any questions regarding the residency should be directed to the School of Nursing Academic Services Manager: Kim Perley at kperley@regent.edu.